Pages

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas

I walked down after sunset this evening to put out some Christmas corn and Christmas apples for our deer friends. The wind kicked up as I stood there looking at the sky. Off the the west, the sun had dropped below the horizon, but low hanging clouds caught the waning light and turn the color of a grape Popsicle.

I realized that I was shivering and I wondered to myself why I hadn't worn my vest.

It was a beautiful end to a fun day.

We breakfast-ed this morning with Jilda's brother and his family who live next door. He has three grown kids and they all have kids now. Jilda and I have lived next door to them all their young lives and as extended families often do, we had a hand in helping to raise them.

The great nieces and nephews came over after lunch and we made Christmas cookies. It's a tradition here.
It's always fun when the kids get their hands in the cookie dough and the decorative sprinkles.
The smell of baking gingerbread cookies smells like Christmas to me.
After stuffing the kids full of cookies, chocolate, fruitcake, and other Christmas stuff, we sent them on their way with their parents. Being an uncle is fun!
After the dust settled, and the sprinkles swept up out of the floor, and the evening chores completed, we settled down and opened our gifts to each other as we listened to Christmas music.
After the stress and high drama that often accompanies Christmas, it felt good to sit on the couch and bliss out for a while.
I hope all travelers safely reached their destinations, and I hope all good children get the Christmas they've dreamed of.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.